COP31: From Commitments to Action – NDC 3.0

Today, on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov participated in the ministerial panel discussion “From Commitments to Action – NDC 3.0”, held at the National Pavilion of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Responding to questions from panel participants, Minister Kuantyrov provided a detailed overview of Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts, particularly in developing a portfolio of projects to finance conditional climate targets, concessional financing, transboundary water resources, energy, and glaciers.

Under its NDC 3.0, Kazakhstan has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 by 17% compared to 1990 levels through domestic efforts, and by up to 25% with international support.

To implement these commitments, significant steps have already been taken. The NDC has been approved by the Government, and an NDC Investment Plan is being developed jointly with the NDC Partnership and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The plan will help assess the costs of the necessary measures, identify financing sources, and establish a portfolio of priority projects.

Notably, a practical foundation for achieving climate targets has already been established in the energy sector. Between 2026 and 2029, Kazakhstan plans to implement 45 renewable energy projects with a total capacity exceeding 7 GW, with investors already identified.

From 2024 to 2026, Kazakhstan holds the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS). In April, at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, the Heads of State adopted the Declaration on “Environmental Solidarity in Central Asia” and supported Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an International Water Organization within the United Nations system.

The Minister also proposed three practical steps to strengthen regional cooperation:

1. Unified data and joint monitoring: Establishing shared data systems and joint monitoring of glaciers, river flows, and water withdrawals, as well as continuous digital monitoring in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, as proposed by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

2. Coordination of water and energy management: Harmonizing water and energy management regimes on transboundary rivers.

3. Implementation of joint regional projects: Developing and implementing joint regional initiatives with financing from the Green Climate Fund and development banks.

In conclusion, Minister Kuantyrov emphasized that regional projects offer greater scale and stronger potential to attract financing. He also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and all Central Asian countries.